The Complete Package

House Wine Adds New Beer OfferingsPeople who frequent House Wine may have been a little disappointed in early August when the popular establishment closed its doors for a couple days of renovation. They soon learned that it was worth the sacrifice. House Wine re-opened with 12 new draft beer offerings, a big step up from the store's original three. "The response has been amazing," said Owner and General Manager Donnie Austin. "For anybody who likes craft beers, there will be something on our list they will like."

Thanks to the new additions, the list now includes a mix of local Ohio beers along with beers from faraway places like Europe, according to Austin. Beer lovers will be able to enjoy local brews like Jackie O's from Athens and Seventh Son in Columbus, to name a couple. The beers are rotated on an ongoing basis.

House Wine, which is well known for its extensive wine selection, is also a favorite hangout among beer lovers. The store has always featured a selection of more than 100 craft brews by bottle, but Austin and his colleagues recognized that customers seemed to be wanting more. "It was the right time to add to the selection," he said. "We personally have fun with it, and our customers like to see new things."

To make space for the new beer offerings, some physical changes had to take place throughout the store. This included everything from new shelving to new cabinets--even an old, vintage refrigerator for housing six packs on the back wall.

Like many of House Wine's loyal customers, Austin believes it was worth a couple days of renovation just to increase the beer selection. "We are now the complete package for wine and beer. People can come in and enjoy both," he said. "We have a pretty vast selection for the craft beer enthusiast. And for couples, if one likes beer and one likes wine, it's no problem."